Queens date Australia in Fast5 opener today
Malawi Queens get their 2013 Fast5 Netball World Series campaign underway today (Friday) in Auckland, New Zealand, when they face a new-look Australian side and, later, Jamaica.
The game against Australia is scheduled to throw off at 9.15pm while the second match starts at 10.45pm.
According to Queens captain Carol Ngwira, they are set for the tournament although their results in the test series were not inspiring.
Some commentators have attributed Queens’ poor showing to the absence of Tigresses players such as Sindi Simtowe, Beatrice Mpinganjira and Grace Mwafulirwa-Mhango and Laureen Ngwira.
Australia, who finished bottom without winning a game in the previous tournament, have drafted in five players from their Under-21 squad.
The Queens will look up to New Zealand-based gangly shooter Mwawi Kumwenda and Ngwira for inspiration.
Tomorrow will be a tough day for the Queens who are scheduled to take on defending champions and hosts New Zealand (7pm) before facing last year’s runners-up England (8.30pm) who are without one of their major weapons in shooter Jo Harten who is nursing an ankle injury.
Queens’ last match will be against their African rivals South Africa’s Proteas from 10.45pm.
According to MultiChoice Malawi marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda, the matches will be beamed live on SuperSport.
